Gum sheet feed apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for feeding gum to a wrapping machine wherein sheets of gum are scored and separated into slabs and the slabs further scored for separation into sticks while being conveyed to the wrapping machine.

United States Patent Schoppee [451 Oct. 28, 1975 GUM SHEET FEED APPARATUS AND METHOD [75] Inventor: Lawrence W. Schoppee, Springfield,

Mass.

[73] Assignee: Package Machinery Company, East Longmeadow, Mass.

[22] Filed: Apr. 25, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 463,910

[52] US. Cl. 83/7; 83/11; 83/9; 83/404.2; 83/408; 83/566; 225/103 [51] Int. Cl. B26D 3/08; B26D 3/24; B26F 3/00 [58] Field of Search 83/7, 9, ll, 12, 404, 404.1, 83/404.2, 408, 566; 225/96, 96.5, 103

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Watkins 83/9 2,917,009 12/1959 1 Farrer 225/96 X 3,151,794 10/1964 Brand 225/96.5 3,286,893 ll/1966 Zellers, Jr. 225/96.5 X

Primary Examiner-Willie G. Abercrombie Attorney, Agent, or FirmMcCormick, Paulding & Huber [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus and method for feeding gum to a wrapping machine wherein sheets of gum are scored and separated into slabs and the slabs further scored for separation into sticks while being conveyed to the wrapping machine.

27 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,915,039

U.S. Patent Oct.28, 1975 Sheet2of2 3,915,039

6 mm .N.

GUM SHEET FEED APPARATUS AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to gum packaging machinery and methods and deals more particularly with an improved apparatus and method for feeding gum to a stick wrapping machine or the like.

The development of improved gum packaging machinery capable of increased operational speeds has created need for improved high speed gum feeding apparatus and methods. Heretofore, it has been a general practice in the gum packaging art to separate prescored sheets of gum into slabs for stacking in a storage magazine or the like from which the slabs are fed to a wrapping machine. However, gum, as it ages, undergoes change in size, consequently, a supply of initially identical slabs may be of non-uniform size after being stacked in a magazine or other feed apparatus, even for a relatively brief period of time. Gum sticks formed from non-uniform slabs are likely to be of nonuniform quality and may cause packaging machine malfunction or result in packages of variable quality. The present invention is concerned with provision of an improved apparatus and method for feeding sheet gum to a wrapping machine or the like wherein sheets of gum are separated into sticks, for wrapping, while being fed to a wrapping machine. 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, an improved apparatus and method is provided for successively feeding sheets of gum to a gum stick wrapping machine wherein each sheet is scored along a plurality of first score lines which extend in one direction as the sheet is advanced in said one direction along a first path to define a plurality of slabs connected along said first score lines. The scored sheet is conveyed in a second direction and along a second path which has a first portion at one elevation and a second portion at another elevation. A slab separating mechanism located between said first and second portions of said second path halts the scored sheet in the first portion of the path, separates the leading slab by shearing it from the sheet along an associated first score line, and transfers the separated slab to the second portion of the second path. Each slab is scored along a plurality of second score lines which extend in the second direction as it further advances along the second portion of the second path whereby the slab is divided into a plurality of sticks connected in side-by-side relation along the second score lines. The scored slabs are successively advanced toward the wrapping machine in a third direction generally normal to the second direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic plan view of apparatus embodying the present invention and illustrates a method for feeding gum in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged somewhat schematic fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an automatic apparatus and a method for continuously feeding a supply of gum to a single stick wrapping machine or the like, indicated generally by the numeral 10. A plurality of sheets of gum 12, 12 arranged in vertically stacked relation at a loading station, indicated gener ally by the numeral 14, are automatically transferred to an unloading station, designated generally by the numeral 16. The sheets 12, 12 are successively transferred from the unloading station 16 to a first position 18 from which each sheet 12 is conveyed along a predetermined first path indicated by the numeral 20 to a second position 22. As each sheet 12 advances along the first path 20 it passes through a first trimming and scoring mechanism, designated generally at 24, where its opposite ends are trimmed and it is scored along a plurality of generally parallel score lines 25, 25 which extend in the direction of the first path 20 and divide the sheet into a plurality of slabs 26, 26. Thus, when the trimmed and scored sheet, designated in 12', reaches its second position 22, it comprises a plurality of slabs 26, 26 integrally connected along score lines 25, 25.

The sheet 12 is conveyed from its second position 22 along a second path, generally normal to the first path 20 and indicated by the arrow 28, to a slab separator, indicated generally at 30, where the slabs 26, 26 are successively separated from the prescored sheet 12'. In FIG. 1, a sheet 12' is shown entering the slab separator 30 and a separated slab designated at 26 is also shown which comprises the trailing slab from another sheet 12' which has already passed through the slab separator 30. As the slab 26' further advances along the second path 28, it passes through a second trimming and scoring mechanism, designated generally at 32, where it is trimmed at its opposite ends and scored along a plurality of parallel score lines 33, 33 which extend in the direction of the second path 28. Thus, each slab 26' is divided into a plurality of sticks 34, 34 connected together in side-by-side relation along second score lines 33, 33. When each trimmed and scored slab, designated 26", reaches the end of the second path 28, it is conveyed along a third path 36 generally normal to the second path and to a breaker 37, which may comprise conventional breaker wheels associated with the wrap ping machine 10, where the prescored slab 26" is separated into individual sticks. The individual sticks 34, 34 are fed to the wrapping machine 10 where each stick 34 is wrapped, and may be grouped with other sticks, and packaged, as is well known in the art.

Considering now the apparatus and method in further detail, the gum sheets 12, 12 are generally rectangular and stacked on trays, approximately 16 sheets per tray. An operator places these trays of gum into a toploaded filled tray magazine which comprises the loading station 14. A transfer mechanism which, as shown, comprises a conveyor 38 moves. the bottom tray from the magazine 14 to the unloading station 16. Each sheet 12 is then transferred from the unloading station 16 to the first position 18 by a vacuum transfer mechanism 40 which picks up the top sheet from a tray at the unloading station 16 and carries it to and deposits it approximately at the first position 18.

A transfer mechanism, which, as shown, also comprises the conveyor 38 carries each empty tray from the unloading station 16 to an up-stacking magazine 42 wherein a plurality of empty trays may be stacked or stored. The vacuum transfer mechanism 40 has a detector or sensing device 44 associated therewith, which may, for example, comprise a proximity switch for determining when the last sheet is fed from a tray at the unloading station. More specifically, the sensing device 44 is responsive to depletion of the gum supply at the unloading station and activates the drive unit for the transfer conveyor 38 to move the empty tray from the unloading station 16 to the up-stacking magazine 42 and to move a full tray of stacked sheets 12, 12 from the filled tray magazine 14 to the unloading station 16. The transfer conveyor 38 has a separate drive mechanism which operates independently of the wrapping machine drive and the drive mechanism for the remainder of the feed apparatus. Thus, constant replenishment of the supply of gum at the unloading station 16 is assured.

At the first position 18 alignment pushers 45, 45, arranged for reciprocal movement transversely relative to the path 20, engage the sheet 12 to move it into alignment with the first trimming and scoring mechanism 24, as may be necessary. Movement of the sheet 12 from its first position 18 and along its first path 20 is initiated by a transfer mechanism which includes pushers 46, 46 and which feeds the sheet 12 into the first trimming and scoring mechanism 24. The trimming and scoring mechanism 24 comprises a set of upper scoring knives and a substantially identical set of lower scoring knives (not shown). Each set of knives includes a plurality of rotary scoring knives or discs 50, 50 supported in axially spaced relation along a shaft 54 journalled for rotation about an axis which extends transversely of the path 20. The scoring knives are arranged to cut into or partially through the sheet to form various score lines 25, 25 thereon which define the slabs 26, 26. Deflectors (not shown), which comprise a part of the first trimming and scoring mechanism 24, engage the outer marginal end portions of the scored sheet as it advances and vertically deflect the end portions thereof to break off selvage along the outermost score line on the sheet whereby to trim the sheet.

The upper and lower scoring knives respectively engage the upper and lower surfaces of the gum sheet 12 as it is fed into a nip point therebetween by the pusher mechanism 46 and cooperate to further advance the sheet 12 along its first path 20 as it is scored and trimmed. Thus, the pusher mechanism 46 and the trimming and scoring mechanism 24 cooperate to convey the sheet 12 along its first path 20 and its second position 22, where it is halted by engagement with stops 56, 56. In its second position 22, the sheet now indicated at 12 rests upon a chain conveyor 58, which comprises another transfer mechanism for conveying the sheet 12 horizontally along its second path 28 to the slab separator 30.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 2, the slab separator 30 comprises a top plate or shearing member 60 and a separating or elevating member 62 which cooperates in shearing relation with the shearing member. The shearing member has a shearing edge 64 which extends transversely of the second path 28 in a direction generally normal thereto and is disposed above the path 28 so that a sheet advanced by the chain conveyor 58 may pass thereunder. The elevator member 62 has a width substantially equal to the width of a single slab 26 and has a horizontally disposed upper surface which defines a portion of the second path 28. Another shearing edge 66 defined by the rear upper edge of the elevating member 62 cooperates in shearing relation with the shearing edge 64 when the elevating member is raised from its lowered or full line position to its elevating or broken line position of FIG. 2.

When the elevating member 62 is in its lowered position, the upper surface thereof is generally horizontally aligned with the carrying surface of the chain conveyor 58 which defines a first portion of the second path 28. When the elevating member 62 is in its raised or broken line position of FIG. 2, its upper surface is generally horizontally aligned with a second or elevated portion of the second path 28. The elevating member 62 dwells in its lower position while a sheet 12' which rests on the chain conveyor 58 is advanced thereby beneath the shearing member 60 and onto the elevating member 62. The advancing sheet 12' is halted by engagement of its transverse leading edge with an abutment surface 68 at the forward end of separator 30. After the leading edge of the slab 26 engages the abutment 68, the elevating member 62 is raised to its elevated position whereby the leading slab 26 is separated or bro ken away from the remainder of the sheet along an associated score line 25. As the slab 26 is broken or sheared from the remainder of the sheet 12, the leading edge of the next successive slab which comprises the sheet 12 engages a rear surface 69 on the elevating member 62 which prevents the remainder of the sheet 12 from advancing further until the elevating member 62 returns to its lowered position. Preferably, the conveyor chain 58 operates continuously, however, since each sheet 12 merely rests thereon the conveyor is free to move relative to the sheets thereon during the shearing cycle of the separator 30. After the leading slab 26' has been separated from the remainder of the scored sheet 12' the elevating member 62 dwells in its raised position while a reciprocably movable transfer or pusher mechanism 70 advances the slab 26' to an alignment station indicated generally at 72 where a transversely movable alignment pusher 74 (FIG. 1) engages one end of the slab 26 to move the slab transversely of the path 28 as may be necessary to achieve general alignment with the second trimming and scoring mechanism 32.

The trimming and scoring mechanism 32 is generally similar to the previously described trimming and scoring mechanism 24, but includes a substantially greater number of rotary scoring knives. More specifically, the trimming and scoring mechanism 32 also includes upper and lower sets of rotary scoring knives respectively generally indicated at 76 and 78. Each set comprises a plurality of rotary scoring knives or discs 82, 82 coaxially mounted in axially spaced relation along a shaft 84 which extends transversely of the second path 28. Each upper scoring knife 82 cooperates with a corresponding lower scoring knife 82 to cut partially through the slab 26' to form the various score lines 33, 33 thereon. Deflectors, such as indicated at 80, 80, and which comprise a part of the mechanism 32, deflect selvage from opposite ends of the scored slab 26' as it is further advanced by the trimming and scoring mechanism.

Each slab 26' is fed from the alignment station 72 and passes under a holddown 85 (FIG. 2) into the nip point between the upper and lower rotary knife sets 76 and 78 by line pressure exerted thereon by the next successive slab 26 advanced by the pusher mechanism 70. Each slab 26 is further advanced by the trimming and scoring mechanism 32 which is driven and comprises means for further conveying slabs along the second path 28.

After each slab leaves the mechanism 32, it is further advanced by line pressure exerted by the next successive slab being advanced by the trimming and scoring mechanism 32-. The trimmed and scored slab, indicated at 26", passes under a plurality of transversely spaced holddown fingers 86, 86 which pivot about an axis 87 which extends transversely of the path 28, as best shown in FIG. 2. These holddown fingers stabilize the slab 26" as it is further advanced by line pressure exerted by the next successive slab advanced by the mechanism 32. As the leading slab 26" continues to advance along the second path it drops to a portion of the path at a lower elevation and is further stabilized by a plurality of second pivoted holddown fingers 88, 88 similar to the previously mentioned fingers 86, 86. Another transfer or pusher mechanism 90, shown in FIG. 2 and supported for reciprocable movement along the second path 28, further advances the scored slab 26" at the lower elevation to an in-feed conveyor 92 which conveys the slab 26" along the third path 36 to the breaker wheels 37 and associated wrapping machine 10.

The slab separator 30, alignment pusher 74, trimming and scoring mechanism 32, scored slab transfer mechanism 90 and breaker wheels 37 are all driven by and in timed relation with the single stick wrapping machine 10. A sheet detector 94, which may, for example, comprise an electric eye sensing device, mounted in the second path 28 ahead of the slab separator 30 is responsive to depletion of gum supply being fed to the separator 30 to activate the vacuum transfer mechanism 40, the alignment pushers 45, the pusher mechanism 46 and the chain conveyor 58. The vacuum transfer mechanism 40, the alignment pushers 45, the pusher mechanism 46 and the chain conveyor 58 oper ate in timed relation with the wrapping machine and the breaker wheels 37 and may, for example, be driven by a common drive mechanism, which may comprise the drive mechanism for the wrapping machine.

The method and apparatus of the present invention provides the advantage of allowing an operator to feed a relatively large supply of gum to a wrapping machine so that the gum will be trimmed and scored and divided into slabs and the slabs further trimmed and scored for division into sticks just prior to being fed into a wrapping machine. Hence, the resulting sticks will be of substantially uniform size.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine and comprising first conveying means for advancing a sheet of gum in a first direction along a generally horizontal first path from a first to a second position, first scoring means located in said first path for forming a plurality of parallel first score lines extending in said first direction across the sheet of gum as it advances along said first path whereby to divide the sheet into a plurality of slabs connected to each other along the first score lines, means defining a second path extending in a second direction and including a generally horizontal first portion at one elevation and a generally horizontal second portion at another elevation, second conveying means for advancing the scored sheet of gum along said second path from said second position with said first score lines extending in a direction normal to said second path, said second conveying means including a conveyor for advancing the scored sheet of gum along said first portion of said second path, a slab separating mechanism located in said second path for separating each successive one of the slabs from the other of the slabs along an associated one of the first score lines and transferring each separated slab from said first to said second portion of said path, said slab separating mechanism including a shearing member defining a shearing edge extending transversely of said second path in a direction normal thereto, a separating member located between said first and second portions of said second path and vertically movable between one and another position relative to said second path, said separating member in its one position generally horizontally aligned with said first position and in its other position being generally horizontally aligned with said second portion of said second path and having an edge thereof cooperating in shearing relation with said shearing edge when said separating member is moved between its one and its other position, and stopping means for halting the advance of the scored sheet of gum by said conveyor when said separating member is in its one position and an associated first score line is aligned with said shearing edge and until said separating member moves from its one to its other position to transfer a separated slab and returns to its one position, and second scoring means located along said second portion of said second path for receiving each successive separated slab advanced by said second conveying means and forming a plurality of parallel second score lines on the slab extending in the direction of said second path whereby to divide the slab into a plurality of sticks connected together along the second score lines, and a third conveying means for receiving each successive separated and scored slab advanced by said second conveying means and advancing it along a third path toward the wrapping machine with the second score lines normal to said third path.

2. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a Wrapping machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the scored sheet rests on said conveyor and said conveyor operates continuously and moves freely relative to the scored sheet while the scored sheet is halted by said stopping means.

3. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second path has a generally horizontal third portion located between said second scoring means and said third conveying means and at an elevation lower than the elevation of said second portion and said second conveying means includes transfer means for advancing the scored slab from said third portion to said third conveying means.

4. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 3 wherein said transfer means comprises a reciprocable pusher mechanism.

5. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in. claim 1 including a gum supply station for holding a supply of sheets of gum arranged in vertically stacked relation, an unloading station, first transfer means for moving gum from the supply station to the unloading station, and second transfer means for moving a sheet of gum from said unloading station to said first position.

6. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 5 including first drive means for operating said second transfer means, said first conveying means and said first scoring means in timed relation with each other, second drive means for operating said second conveying means, said separating mechanism and said second scoring means in timed relation with the wrapping machine, and sensing means associated with said second conveying means and responsive to predetermined movement of gum along said second path for activating said first drive means.

7. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim including sensing means associated with said unloading station for activating said first transfer means in response to depletion of the gum supply at said unloading station to move gum from said supply station to said unloading station.

8. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first scoring means comprises said first conveying means.

9. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said first scoring means comprises a plurality of rotary scoring knives arranged in series along an axis extending transversely of said first path and journalled for rotation about said axis.

10. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 1 including means for trimming opposite end portions of the sheet of gum along trim lines extending in said first direction as the gum advances in said first direction from said first to said second position.

11. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein said first scoring means comprises said trimming means.

12. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second scoring means comprises said second conveying means.

13. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein said second scoring means comprises a plurality of rotary scoring knives arranged in series along an axis extending transversely of said second path and journalled for rotation about said axis.

14. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 1 including means for trimming opposite end portions of each of the slabs along trim lines extending in said second direction.

15. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 14 wherein said second scoring means comprises said trimming means.

16. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 1 including first aligning means associated with said first conveying means for moving the sheet of gum in a direction'generally normal to said first direction to align the sheet with said first scoring means.

17. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 1 including second aligning means associated with said second conveying means for moving each of the slabs in a direction generally normal to said second direction to align the slabs with said second scoring means.

18. In an apparatus for feeding gum to a wrapping machine the combination comprising first scoring means for forming a plurality of parallel first score lines on a sheet of gum extending thereacross to divide the sheet into a plurality of slabs connected to each other along the first score lines, means defining a path of gum travel in one direction including a generally horizontal first portion at one elevation and a generally horizontal second portion at another elevation, conveying means for receiving the scored sheet of gum from the scoring means and advancing it along said path with the first score lines extending in directions normal to said path and including a conveyor for advancing the scored sheet along said first portion of said path, a slab separating mechanism located along said path for separating each successive one of the slabs from the other of the slabs along an associated one of the first score lines and transferring each separated slab from said first portion to said second portion of said path, said slab separating mechanism including a shearing member defining a shearing edge extending transversely of said path and normal thereto, a separating member located between said first and second portions of said path and vertically movable between one and another position relative to said path, said separating member in its one position being generally horizontally aligned with said first portion and in its other position being generally horizontally aligned with said second portion of said path and having an edge thereof cooperating in shearing relation with said shearing edge when said separating member is moved between its one and its other position, and stopping means for halting the advance of said scored sheet of gum by said conveyor when said separating member is in its one position and an associated first score line is aligned with said shearing edge and until said separating member moves from its one to its other position to transfer a separated slab and returns to its one position, and second scoring means located along said second position of said path for receiving such successive separated slab advanced by said conveying means and forming a plurality of parallel second score lines on the slab extending in the direction of said path whereby to divide the slab into a plurality of sticks connected together along the second score lines.

' 19. The combination as set forth in claim 18 wherein said shearing member is disposed above said first portion of said path, said separating member has a generally horizontally disposed and upwardly facing surface defining another portion of said path between said first portion and said second portion, and the elevation of said second portion is higher than the elevation of said first portion.

20. The combination as set forth in claim 18 wherein the scored sheet rests upon said conveyor and said conveyor operates continuously and moves freely relative to the scored sheet resting thereon while the scored sheet is halted by said stop means.

21. The combination as set forth in claim 18 wherein said conveying means includes transfer means for advancing a separated slab from said separating member to said second portion of said path when said separating member is in its other position.

22. The combination as set forth in claim 21 wherein said transfer means comprises a reciprocably movable pusher mechanism.

23. A method for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine comprising the steps of conveying a sheet of gum in one direction along a generally predetermined first path from a first to a second position, scoring the sheet of gum along a plurality of first score lines extending in said one direction as the sheet of gum is advanced from its first to its second position whereby to divide the sheet into a plurality of slabs of gum connected to each other along the first score lines, conveying the scored sheet of gum from its second position in a second direction generally normal to said first direction and along a second generally predetermined path, halting the scored sheet in said second path, moving the leading slab of the halted sheet to another vertical elevation relative to the remainder of the scored sheet to shear the leading slab from the remainder of the scored sheet along an associated one of theifirst score lines, further advancing the separated leading slab along said second path at said other elevation, scoring the separated leading slab along a plurality of second score lines extending in said second direction as it is advancing along said second path at said other elevation to divide said separated leading slab into a plurality of sticks of gum connected together in side-by-side relation along second score lines, and conveying said separated lead ing slab along a generally predetermined third path in a third direction generally normal to the second direction and toward the gum wrapping machine.

24. A method for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 23 including the step of trimming opposite marginal portions of the sheet of gum along trim lines extending in said one direction.

25. A method for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 24 wherein said step of trimming is performed simultaneously with said step of scoring the sheet of gum along the first score lines.

26. A method for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 23 including the step of trimming opposite marginal end portions of the separated leading slab along trim lines extending in the second direction.

27. A method for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 26 wherein said step of trimming is performed simultaneously with said step of scoring the separated leading slabs along the UNITED sTATEs PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,915,039 DATED October 28, 1975 iNVENTOR(S) Lawrence W. Schoppee It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

C01. 6, line 7, after "said" insert second-.

Col. 6, line 14, after "position" insert being.

Signed and Scaled thisthirtieth Day of March 1976 [SEAL] Attest:

RUTH C. MASON Arresting Officer C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner ofParenrs and Trademarks 

1. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine and comprising first conveying means for advancing a sheet of gum in a first direction along a generally horizontal first path from a first to a second position, first scoring means located in said first path for forming a plurality of parallel first score lines extending in said first direction across the sheet of gum as it advances along said first path whereby to divide the sheet into a plurality of slabs connected to each other along the first score lines, means defining a second path extending in a second direction and including a generally horizontal first portion at one elevation and a generally horizontal second portion at another elevation, second conveying means for advancing the scored sheet of gum along said second path from said second position with said first score lines extending in a direction normal to said second path, said second conveying means including a conveyor for advancing the scored sheet of gum along said first portion of said second path, a slab separating mechanism located in said second path for separating each successive one of the slabs from the other of the slabs along an associated one of the first score lines and transferring each separated slab from said first to said second portion of said second path, said slab separating mechanism including a shearing member defining a shearing edge extending transversely of said second path in a direction normal thereto, a separating member located between said first and second portions of said second path and vertically movable between one and another position relative to said second path, said separating member in its one position generally horizontally aligned with said first position and in its other position being generally horizontally aligned with said second portion of said second path and having an edge thereof cooperating in shearing relation with said shearing edge when said separating member is moved between its one and its other position, and stopping means for halting the advance of the scored sheet of gum by said conveyor when said separating member is in its one position and an associated first score line is aligned with said shearing edge and until said separating member moves from its one to its other position to transfer a separated slab and returns to its one position, and second scoring means located along said second portion of said second path for receiving each successive separated slab advanced by said second conveying means and forming a plurality of parallel second score lines on the slab extending in the direction of said second path whereby to divide the slab into a plurality of sticks connected together along the second score lines, and a third conveying means for receiving each successive separated and scored slab advanced by said second conveying means and advancing it along a third path toward the wrapping machine with tHe second score lines normal to said third path.
 2. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the scored sheet rests on said conveyor and said conveyor operates continuously and moves freely relative to the scored sheet while the scored sheet is halted by said stopping means.
 3. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second path has a generally horizontal third portion located between said second scoring means and said third conveying means and at an elevation lower than the elevation of said second portion and said second conveying means includes transfer means for advancing the scored slab from said third portion to said third conveying means.
 4. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 3 wherein said transfer means comprises a reciprocable pusher mechanism.
 5. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 1 including a gum supply station for holding a supply of sheets of gum arranged in vertically stacked relation, an unloading station, first transfer means for moving gum from the supply station to the unloading station, and second transfer means for moving a sheet of gum from said unloading station to said first position.
 6. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 5 including first drive means for operating said second transfer means, said first conveying means and said first scoring means in timed relation with each other, second drive means for operating said second conveying means, said separating mechanism and said second scoring means in timed relation with the wrapping machine, and sensing means associated with said second conveying means and responsive to predetermined movement of gum along said second path for activating said first drive means.
 7. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 5 including sensing means associated with said unloading station for activating said first transfer means in response to depletion of the gum supply at said unloading station to move gum from said supply station to said unloading station.
 8. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first scoring means comprises said first conveying means.
 9. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said first scoring means comprises a plurality of rotary scoring knives arranged in series along an axis extending transversely of said first path and journalled for rotation about said axis.
 10. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 1 including means for trimming opposite end portions of the sheet of gum along trim lines extending in said first direction as the gum advances in said first direction from said first to said second position.
 11. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein said first scoring means comprises said trimming means.
 12. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second scoring means comprises said second conveying means.
 13. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 12 wherein said second scoring means comprises a plurality of rotary scoring knives arranged in series along an axis extending transversely of said second path and journalled for rotation about said axis.
 14. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 1 including means for trimming opposite end portions of each of the slabs along trim lines extending in said second direction.
 15. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 14 wherein said second scoring means comprises said trimming means.
 16. Apparatus for continuously feedIng gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 1 including first aligning means associated with said first conveying means for moving the sheet of gum in a direction generally normal to said first direction to align the sheet with said first scoring means.
 17. Apparatus for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 1 including second aligning means associated with said second conveying means for moving each of the slabs in a direction generally normal to said second direction to align the slabs with said second scoring means.
 18. In an apparatus for feeding gum to a wrapping machine the combination comprising first scoring means for forming a plurality of parallel first score lines on a sheet of gum extending thereacross to divide the sheet into a plurality of slabs connected to each other along the first score lines, means defining a path of gum travel in one direction including a generally horizontal first portion at one elevation and a generally horizontal second portion at another elevation, conveying means for receiving the scored sheet of gum from the scoring means and advancing it along said path with the first score lines extending in directions normal to said path and including a conveyor for advancing the scored sheet along said first portion of said path, a slab separating mechanism located along said path for separating each successive one of the slabs from the other of the slabs along an associated one of the first score lines and transferring each separated slab from said first portion to said second portion of said path, said slab separating mechanism including a shearing member defining a shearing edge extending transversely of said path and normal thereto, a separating member located between said first and second portions of said path and vertically movable between one and another position relative to said path, said separating member in its one position being generally horizontally aligned with said first portion and in its other position being generally horizontally aligned with said second portion of said path and having an edge thereof cooperating in shearing relation with said shearing edge when said separating member is moved between its one and its other position, and stopping means for halting the advance of said scored sheet of gum by said conveyor when said separating member is in its one position and an associated first score line is aligned with said shearing edge and until said separating member moves from its one to its other position to transfer a separated slab and returns to its one position, and second scoring means located along said second position of said path for receiving such successive separated slab advanced by said conveying means and forming a plurality of parallel second score lines on the slab extending in the direction of said path whereby to divide the slab into a plurality of sticks connected together along the second score lines.
 19. The combination as set forth in claim 18 wherein said shearing member is disposed above said first portion of said path, said separating member has a generally horizontally disposed and upwardly facing surface defining another portion of said path between said first portion and said second portion, and the elevation of said second portion is higher than the elevation of said first portion.
 20. The combination as set forth in claim 18 wherein the scored sheet rests upon said conveyor and said conveyor operates continuously and moves freely relative to the scored sheet resting thereon while the scored sheet is halted by said stop means.
 21. The combination as set forth in claim 18 wherein said conveying means includes transfer means for advancing a separated slab from said separating member to said second portion of said path when said separating member is in its other position.
 22. The combination as set forth in claim 21 wherein said transfer means comprises a reciprocably movable pusher mechanism.
 23. A method for continuously feeding gum to A wrapping machine comprising the steps of conveying a sheet of gum in one direction along a generally predetermined first path from a first to a second position, scoring the sheet of gum along a plurality of first score lines extending in said one direction as the sheet of gum is advanced from its first to its second position whereby to divide the sheet into a plurality of slabs of gum connected to each other along the first score lines, conveying the scored sheet of gum from its second position in a second direction generally normal to said first direction and along a second generally predetermined path, halting the scored sheet in said second path, moving the leading slab of the halted sheet to another vertical elevation relative to the remainder of the scored sheet to shear the leading slab from the remainder of the scored sheet along an associated one of the first score lines, further advancing the separated leading slab along said second path at said other elevation, scoring the separated leading slab along a plurality of second score lines extending in said second direction as it is advancing along said second path at said other elevation to divide said separated leading slab into a plurality of sticks of gum connected together in side-by-side relation along second score lines, and conveying said separated leading slab along a generally predetermined third path in a third direction generally normal to the second direction and toward the gum wrapping machine.
 24. A method for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 23 including the step of trimming opposite marginal portions of the sheet of gum along trim lines extending in said one direction.
 25. A method for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 24 wherein said step of trimming is performed simultaneously with said step of scoring the sheet of gum along the first score lines.
 26. A method for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 23 including the step of trimming opposite marginal end portions of the separated leading slab along trim lines extending in the second direction.
 27. A method for continuously feeding gum to a wrapping machine as set forth in claim 26 wherein said step of trimming is performed simultaneously with said step of scoring the separated leading slabs along the second score lines. 